GIFs are one of the Internet's most polarizing elements; not only is there debate over the image format's utility (or, as anti-GIFfers argue, lack thereof) but over how to say "GIF" in the first place. (We're choosy moms.) Even GIF haters, though, can't keep themselves away from the sports moments captured in those 40-or-so frames, so here's our favorite sports GIFs of 2012.

Yes, Laker Bros is technically our "favorite" GIF of the year, but we didn't make that one.